Welcome to Make Ours Marvel, the weekly show where Michael Kaiser and Jon M. Wilson read chronologically through Marvel Comics’ spandex adventures and discuss their thoughts with little to no authority.
In this episode…
- Tales to Astonish #71 (Sept 1965)
- Daredevil #9 (Aug 1965)
- Sgt. Fury #21 (Aug 1965)
- The Fantastic Four #42 (Sept 1965)
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Tales to Astonish #71: Sub-Mariner’s squid and seaweed. Is it weird that “no one has ever completed this quest”, and yet Krang seems to know exactly where Namor need to go on every step? Aren’t the individual parts only learned as you go? So how can he put obstacles in his way beforehand? Not that this is the first story I’ve seen this in, but it’s a pet peeve of mine.
Ah Dorma, you deserve better writing than this.
It was an interesting idea in the 90’s Namor series that oxygen levels produced his mood swings. At least they didn’t make caused by blood sugar levels. “How dare you? Imperius Rex!” “Quick, someone get Namor a candy bar!” “Mmmm, sorry about that. Who wants another game of Yahtzee?”
Ok, Seaweed Man. He totally looks like the JLA foe the Shaggy Man. But with seaweed for hair. And now he’s even more ridiculous.
Hulk and the Sunday Puncher bomb. Three panels before the bomb goes off, the Hulk has leapt into the air carrying Rick, “You’ll never get far enough away in time!” “Don’t be too sure, Rick! Our speed’s increasing every second!!” Um, pretty sure that’s NOT how the physics of jumping works. Your speed decreases as you go up, cuz gravity.
Then there’s Hulk giving Rick artificial respiration. I’ve taken CPR training many times, and us mere mortals must provide a complete seal around the person’s mouth and close their nose so the air inflates the lungs. But Hulk’s lungs are so strong, I guess he could blow hard enough without needing a full seal, but I’d think the nose pinch would still be important. I’m thinking the creators Stan or Jack didn’t want it to look like Hulk and Rick were kissing, so instead, it looks like Hulk is spitting at him. “Hock-ctoo! Live, Rick! LIVE! Hock-ctoo!” Yeah, cuz that’s better.
FF #42: Dang, I LOVE Medusa playing all of the guys against each other! From her first appearance, Kirby made her look incredibly beautiful, and he wanted the readers to believe she could control men just because. So this is great!
Oh, I don’t think Johnny is under Wingless’s control. No, he beat the hypnotizing. Because flames. If Strange Tales taught me one thing, it’s that flames can do anything you want. Johnny flamed it.
And lastly, Sue freeing Reed from the bottle was excellent! I wish she hadn’t passed out afterwards, but hey, I’ll take it.
Lots of fun, guys! Until next time, or until the Hulk gives the Heimlich maneuver to himself, make mine Make Ours Marvel.